St. John Berchmans – Patron of Altar Servers

John, named for John the Baptist,was born in Diest, Belgium in 1599. At the age of 7, John would get up at 5 am to serve at 2-3 Masses each day. He also had a love of the Rosary and prayed it while walking through the streets. He was know to say, "If i do not become a saint when I am young I shall never become one."

He worked hard for perfection and followed the rules of the Jesuits. He would volunteer for more difficult chores than his peers.

John walked 1,000 miles to Rome in 1618 to continue his studies there. Three years later, at the age of 22, he died of dysentery in 1621.